Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-23

FkO4 Li0HTNIN6-HB FAyORS THE UNDERGROUND
SYSTEM, BUT THINKS WHEN THE WIRES 60 DOWN
HGHrNIFa-RoDs WILL 60 UP-rHE UNDERGROUND
WIRES LAID IN WASHINGTON.
"You may remember. recently remarked Super
intendent Miles, of the Fire Alarm and Police
Telegraph SERVICE to STAR reporter, 'that tele-
phone pole on Capitol Hill was struck by light
OF the popular cry, THE telegraph poles
must co. Well, you may tell the public
ana the pole-haters something that they
VIII perhaps disbelieve, but which is
t hevertheless very pertinently true. Had It not
oeen TOT tne presence OF that pole, the shattered
proof of its danger 1t is altogether likely that the
lady who was slightly shocked by the stroke
aSa euTs ana
charge Of electricity which tore its strong nber in
one Of the strongest arguments in favor OF the
0peEnead wires and II is pity that people do not
years has shown me that as the overhead wires
Increased IN number and length the so-caled cleo
tric disturbances became less frequent,
wires Collect Inc te esc,e sas
and 1t Is thus carried safely on instead OF getting
trouble ~ a M
not inirequent during thunder storms and electric
disturbances for instruments to be burned out and
though our battery-room here is in a perfect
blaze Of flashes We have ground conductors and
we DO not notice the fact"
IN FAVOR OF UNDERGROUND WIRES
"Are you then in favor Of overhead wires for
telephone and Geographic purposes7" asked the
reporter.
mo; am as strongly in favor Of getting all OF
inc wires Underground as any one but believe
that as the wires go down the rods viii go up 1t
y mistaken idea that the overhead wires are
dangerous although there are q hundred ways in
when they are Objectionable. For instance, the
terferes seriously at times with good work,
especially in wet weather, when the currents show
provoktng tendency to slide down to the earth
instead Of following their legitimate tracks over
the wires am emphatically opposed to allow
ing the electric light wires to remain above ground
IN Inc exposed condition In which some are that
nave noticed. While it is true that the wires Of
the incandescent lamps do not carry enough cleo
tricity to do any harm, still, during storm they
true of arc-lighttng, for which Intensely strong
currents are required, and or which we have often
heard OF the bad effects.
UNDERGROUND WIRES IN WASHINGTON.
I'm this department we have been using the
underground cables for nearly four years, and
with very satisfactory results In fact, am so
completely satisfied as to the practicability Of
these wires for short circuits that am going to
90 my best to get them laid for our whole system"
laying OF these wires" asked the reporter.
ION, yes. The whole matter has been growth
o. lqeas resulting IRON and failures
last found one that seems TO be just what we
want Here he reached down behind desk and
peared to be lead rope, with half dozen black
threads emerging from one end.
''Ihis Is what Is called the 'anti-lnduction' ca
bic, ;" he resumed. ut carries as you see, six
wires, numbered in order, from this sharp projec-
ton, number being the central one. Ordinarily
currents would be indicted in each wire, thus
destroying the value OF the cable; this occurs
when the wires are punched together without
the Insulating substance between them. But Lere
wires and the earth, and in this way the currents
are not disturbed. Now the greatest ditficulty
with the underground wire is the occurrence OF
sage OF electricity left in the wire after each pull
satiOn, and which destroys to certain extent It's
e s This does not happen TO overhead
wire nears the earth, and finally enters as it, It,
yet discovered any means of overcoming it. But
ON our circuits, which would never amount to
more than Is miles in length, it would not be
very good quality 1t is distiilaton OF crude pc
trOleum mixed with cotton shreds, and is called
caSOQ."
THE WORK DONE THIS YEAR.
SHOW much underground cable has been laid so
far? interrogated the reporter.
"This year We have laid about IA miles of wire,
or nearly miles OF cable, or trench as we say.
In all there are now about % miles Of cable max
Ing total OF 81 miles OF trench. This has cost
IN the neighbor6ood Of s12, 900 There are yet 500
miles OF wire to go down. but this will not cost In
the same proportion, since In many instances we
Will be enabled to place several cables in the same
trench"
''By means Of the work this year" he continued,
'we have rid the streets of three lines of pOle-one
on 18th street west, from New York avenue to the
Boundary; one on 9th street, within the same
limits, and one on H street, between I'd and 10th
streets northeast. We hope to continue the good
work until the District will not have stick above
ground. call 1t a good work., for believe IL to
the cables are by far superior to the pole lines
while on the other hand the much-abused pole is
pal peace 1t is represented to be- Cut down the
poles as said before, and you will give work to
either the undertaken or the lightning rod man.
The public has It's choice, and am not sure which
should prefer"